WIRING HARNESS ISSUES

AUDI ON A ROLLBACK

As I've mentioned in my previous blog, not only Volkswagen  vehicles but every new vehicle's wiring harnesses have undergone a huge technological evolution since 1984. So much so that  30 years later the average wiring harnesses has become extremely complex because the number of terminals have progressively increased from a typical 200 terminals in a 1994 vehicle to as many as 1,400 terminals, if not more in the very latest models. It therefore stands to reason that with so many terminals or connections, each and everyone of them are subject to corrosion, high resistive contact, poor contact, intermittent and implausible contact  and at times no contact.  The amount of copper wire used in older cars have also decreased substantially, from as much as 4 kilometers in length to about 1 kilometer. That's equates to a 75% saving on the wiring harness.  However with all the new technology and control modules and data buses, the cost of the wiring harness  cost equates to a quarter of the cost of the entire car. 

VW Polo Wiring Harness

As can be see in the image below, another VAG car sucummbed to hi-technology and desperately needs the service centre because it went into "Limp Mode".  It's most likely an electrical fault has caused this but that's just speculation on my part. However, since more than 50% of all warranty repairs are caused by electrical malfunctions, and approximately 30 percent of all tow-ins, are due to problems associated with the wiring harness, it can be therefore be said that 80% of all troubles experienced by car owners today are due to electrical faults.  Can we then also say that these fault are constantly recurring  because the manufacturer has overlooked the fact that 1400 contacts will invariably be influenced by  bumpy roads, shaking and hoping and flexing, subject to moisture and heat and dust and dirt? Desktop computers also have several hundred contacts but the difference between household computers and cars is that computers stay in a fixed place and doesn't get knocked about and shake on bumpy roads nor subjected to extreme heat and cold and moisture. Wouldnt it be fair to say that any car with electrical problems caused by the wiring harness should be repaired by the manufacturer under warranty and if not, these cars should be recalled. Anyway,  here is the Audi scan for your perusal.

Audi on a roll back with immobilizer issues

Chassis Type: 8E - Audi A4
Scan: 01 02 03 08 09 0F 11 15 16 17 18 36 37 45 46 55 56 57 65 67 69 75 76 77
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Address 01: Engine Labels:
Part No: 8E0 906 018 B
Component: 1.8L R4/5VT 0004
Coding: 11701
Shop #: WSC 14385

7 Faults Found
17978 - Engine Start Blocked by Immobilizer
P1570 - 35-10 - - Intermittent
17698 - Coolant Temp Sensor at Radiator Outlet (G83)
P1290 - 35-10 - Signal too Small - Intermittent
00527 - Intake Manifold Temperature Sensor (G72)
30-10 - Open or Short to Plus - Intermittent
17536 - Fuel Trim; Bank 1 (Mult)
P1128 - 35-00 - System too Lean
18058 - Powertrain Data Bus
P1650 - 35-10 - Missing Message from Instrument Cluster - Intermittent
18043 - Powertrain Data Bus
P1635 - 35-10 - Missing Message from A/C Controller - Intermittent
16712 - Knock Sensor 1 (G61)
P0328 - 35-10 - Signal too High - Intermittent
Readiness: N/A


Address 03: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
ABS Brakes
Part No: 8E0 614 517 A
Component: ABS/ESP allrad 1326
Coding: 04275
Shop #: WSC 60690

1 Fault Found
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent


Address 08: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Auto HVAC

Part No: 8E0 820 043
Component: A4 Klimaautomat 0711
Coding: 00000
Shop #: WSC 24576

4 Faults Found
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent
00716 - Air recirculation Flap Positioning Motor (V113)
41-00 - Blocked or No Voltage
00474 - Control Module for Immobilizer
49-00 - No Communications
00474 - Control Module for Immobilizer
27-10 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent


Address 09: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cent. Elect.
Part No: 8E0 907 279 A
Component: int. Lastmodul RDW 1010
Coding: 00011
Shop #: WSC 63351

4 Faults Found
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent
00474 - Control Module for Immobilizer
49-00 - No Communications
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
79-10 - Please Check Fault Codes - Intermittent
01312 - Powertrain Data Bus
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent


Address 15: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Airbags
Part No: 8E0 959 655
Component: Airbag 8.4E 3001
Coding: 0011702
Shop #: WSC 63351 000 00000

No fault code found.


Address 16: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Steering wheel

Part No: 8E0 953 549 F
Component: Lenks?lenmodul 0304
Coding: 00001
Shop #: WSC 63351


2 Faults Found
00474 - Control Module for Immobilizer
49-00 - No Communications
01317 - Control Module in Instrument Cluster (J285)
49-10 - No Communications - Intermittent


Address 17: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Instruments
Part No: 8E0 920 900 HX
Component: KOMBI+WEGFAHRS. RB4 D27
Coding: 00142
Shop #: WSC 19411

2 Faults Found
01176 - Key
07-10 - Signal too Low - Intermittent
65535 - Internal Control Module Memory Error
00-00 - -


Address 45: ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Inter. Monitor

Part No: 8E0 951 177
Component: Innenraumueberw. 0504
Coding: 00001
Shop #: WSC 00000

No fault code found.

Audi on a rollback on the way to the clinic.

So by the looks of it, with so many error codes,  it does seem like the wiring harness could be faulty because the control module lost communications with the Instrument cluster and when this happened the checksum no longer tallied, so the immobilizer inhibited starting. But considering that the key signal was low or intermittent, it could even be that the CR1220 lithium battery in the key fob died hence could not deactivate the immobilizer. It's just so scary that your relatively new and supposedly reliable VAG vehicle could act up at any time on a lonely road and leave your stranded, so make sure you have a tow-inn agent on speed dial.


Feel free to upload your VW, SKODA, SEAT & AUDI scans.

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